I can’t start the new year without talking about movies I look forward to watching.
I know I’m a little late to the party, but I’m here now and ready to hype up some movies I look forward to. It was hard to limit myself to just 10 films, because there are so many movies that I can’t wait to watch. These movies are in no particular order, but the last three are the definitely the ones I’m excited for. So let me not waste your time, here are the movies I can’t wait to watch this year.
Street Fighter / Mortal Kombat II
Two iconic fighting game franchises returning to cinemas in the same year feels unreal. I grew up playing these games in the arcade, so obviously I’m excited to see these characters come to life again.Street Fighter is being directed by Kitao Sakurai with a cast that includes Andrew Koji, Noah Centineo, Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, Jason Momoa and many more. On the other side, Mortal Kombat returns Karl Urban as Johnny Cage. I’m excited because both franchises finally seem to understand what fans want, full commitment, proper casting and unapologetic fun.
Send Help
Send Help is a survival thriller directed by Sam Raim, which already tells you a lot about the tone. The film stars Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien as co workers who survive a plane crash and end up stranded on a remote island, where their relationship becomes just as dangerous as the environment. Raimi is known for blending tension, character drama and dark humour, and this premise feels perfectly built for that. I’m excited because Raimi working outside of superheroes and straight horror always delivers something unpredictable.
Lee Cronin’s The Mummy
This new take on The Mummy is written and directed by Lee Cronin and produced by Blumhouse. The film stars Jack Reynor, Laia Costa and May Calamawy, and is being described as a darker, more horror focused reimagining rather than a big action adventure. This is way different than the reported continuation of The Mummy-films starring Brendan Fraser. Details are still being kept tightly under wraps, but Cronin has already proven with Evil Dead Rise that he understands how to modernise classic horror. That’s exactly why this one has my attention, it feels like the franchise is finally leaning into fear again.
Disclosure Day
Directed by Steven Spielberg and written by David Koepp, Disclosure Day is a science fiction film centred around humanity confronting undeniable proof of extraterrestrial life. The cast includes Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor and Colin Firth. Spielberg returning to large scale sci fi always feels like an event, especially when the story is built around mystery and human reaction rather than explosions. I’m excited because this feels like Spielberg tapping back into the emotional wonder that made his earlier sci fi films timeless.
Digger
Digger is directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and stars Tom Cruise in the lead role, and this is going to be a very interesting collaboration. The supporting cast includes Jesse Plemons, Riz Ahmed and Sandra Hüller. The film is described as a dark comedy, which is not something you usually associate with Cruise or Iñárritu. That alone makes it fascinating, and I’m excited to see both of them working outside their usual comfort zones.
Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu
This film is directed by Jon Favreau and it serves as a continuation of the Disney Plus series on the big screen. Pedro Pascal returns as Din Djarin, with Grogu alongside him, and the cast also includes Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White. The story is expected to focus on their place in the galaxy during the rise of the New Republic. I’m excited because this feels like Star Wars finding its footing again by building on characters people already care about.
The Odyssey
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is his next epic, and in my eyes, Nolan can do no wrong. The film is a large-scale adaptation of Homer’s classic poem, following Odysseus on his long and brutal journey home after the Trojan War. Matt Damon will start in the lead role, alongside Anne Hathaway and Robert Pattinson, Tom Holland and a huge ensemble. Nolan once again shot the film using IMAX technology. I’m excited because Nolan tackling mythological storytelling feels like the kind of cinematic swing we rarely get anymore, and this has all the ingredients to be both massive and deeply human.
Spider Man: Brand New Day
This next Spider Man film is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker, with Zendaya and Jacob Batalon also expected back. We also know that Jon Bernthal’s The Punisher and Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk will return. Sadie Sink also joined the cast in an undisclosed role. The story follows Peter after the events of No Way Home, where his life has been completely reset. I’m excited because this feels like a true fresh start for Spider Man while still keeping him rooted in the MCU.
Dune Part Three
Denis Villeneuve returns to direct Dune Part Three, which adapts elements of Dune Messiah to conclude his trilogy. Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya and Florence Pugh all return, with Anya Taylor Joy also playing a larger role this time. The film continues Paul Atreides’ story as the consequences of his rise to power become impossible to ignore. I’m excited because Villeneuve has turned Dune into one of the most ambitious sci fi sagas ever put on screen.
Avengers: Doomsday
Avengers: Doomsday is directed by the Russo brothers and it is basically the start to the end of the Multiverse Saga. The film is expected to feature characters from the Avengers, The New Avengers, the Wakandans, Fantastic Four and X Men, with Doctor Doom positioned as the central threat. While the full cast has not been officially revealed, Marvel has confirmed this as the next major crossover event. I’m excited because this feels like Marvel swinging big again and setting the stage for something truly massive. And I’m actually interested to see what Robert Downey Jr will do with Doctor Doom.
There are way more movies that I can’t wait to watch. What movies are on you most list for 2026?
